Q. Why is this project necessary?
A. The existing Emergency Department was built in 1985 to accommodate 15,000 patient visits per year. Growth through the years has resulted in an increase in the patient load to over 25,000 patients visits each year. Today there is not enough space to meet patient needs.
Q. How was the decision made to develop this project?
A. As part of Highlands' 2007 strategic plan, the Medical Center focused on modernizing facilities, specifically the Emergency Department, to better serve community needs and to provide faster, safer, and more efficient care.
Q. What is the scope of this project?
A. The scope of the project is to replace the existing 6,400-square-foot Emergency Department with a totally new, two-story, state-of-the-art, modern facility with over 11,000 square feet of space, a 19-bed private room capacity, and the ability to accommodate 30,000 patient visits per year.
Q. What is the cost of this project?
A. The total cost of the expansion project is $6 million.
Q. Can Highlands Foundation afford to do this?
A. With community support, Highlands Foundation will be able to achieve its fundraising goal of $1.75 million to help complete the Emergency Department project.
Q. How much will my taxes increase - or will they?
A. Your taxes will not increase or be affected in any way.
Q. When is construction of the new Emergency Department expected to begin?
A. Ground-breaking has already taken place and preliminary work on the building is underway.
Q. Why should our community support the Highlands Foundation Capital Campaign?
A. One of the most critical services to any community is 24/7 access to modern, high-quality emergency healthcare close to home.
Q. Who will solicit?
A. Volunteers from the Highlands Foundation service area will make personal calls to secure gifts and pledges. All solicitors will have made their own contributions before asking others to do so.
Q. Who will be asked to contribute to the Highlands Foundation Capital Campaign?
A. The Boards of Directors of both Highlands Regional Medical Center and Highlands Foundation were the first to be asked to support the campaign financially. The Foundation is seeking the area-wide support of industry, corporations, businesses, financial institutions, foundations, organizations, and the public at large.
Q. Are gifts tax-deductible?
A. Yes. Highlands Foundation is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the federal government encourage voluntary support of these organizations through liberal deduction allowances. All gifts to the campaign are tax-deductible within the regulations of state and federal laws. All donations designated for this project will be held in a segregated account and will be applied only to costs associated with this project.
Q. How will gifts to the campaign be recognized?
A. Donors will be recognized through publicity, publications, and commemorative opportunities. A list of donors will be published occasionally during the course of the campaign and again when the campaign is completed. Although Highlands Foundation encourages donors to accept public acknowledgment of their gifts, we will respect the wishes of those who choose to remain anonymous.
Q. Why a three-to-five year pledge period?
A. The goal of $1.75 million is too high to be reached with out-of-pocket cash gifts. With a three- to-five-year pledge period, donors will be able to maximize their generosity to the campaign. Donors can also benefit from income tax laws written to encourage gifts to nonprofit institutions like Highlands Foundation over a multi-year period.
Q. How much should I give?
A. Only you can answer that question. We ask that you consider the importance of having the new Emergency Department available to everyone in Floyd, Johnson, Martin, and Magoffin counties and the surrounding communities.
Q. Are gifts other than cash accepted?
A. Yes. The campaign will accept gifts of stocks, bonds, insurance policies, real estate, personal property, grain, livestock, works of art, or any item that can be converted to cash. MasterCard, Visa, and Discover credit card payments are also accepted. In light of changes in tax law, donors are advised to consult their tax advisors in order to achieve the maximum tax benefits from their gifts.
Q. When do pledge payments begin?
A. Highlands Foundation appreciates donors beginning their pledge payments as soon as convenient for them; the exact date, however, is up to you. You may indicate your preference on the pledge card.
Q. In the event of my death, is my pledge binding on my estate?
A. Your pledge to Highlands Foundation campaign is binding only if your personal representative elects it to be. Many donors consider creating a trust or making a bequest in their wills to fulfill their intentions toward the Foundation should something unforeseen occur.
Q. To whom do I make my check payable?
A. Please make your check payable to Highlands Foundation.
Q. May I volunteer to help on this campaign?
A. By all means. The campaign is staffed by volunteers. We need and will appreciate your help. Please call Kathy Rubado, Executive Director of Highlands Foundation, at 606-889-6271 to discuss how you can become involved. |
